What are cookies?

A ‘cookie’ is a small text file that is delivered by our website server on to your computer while you visit our website, which can be used by the website to identify devices and thereby remember your website preferences. Most cookies will not collect information that identifies the individual and will instead collect more general information such as how users arrive at and use our website, or a user’s general location.

Different types of cookies operate for different amounts of time. Session cookies are temporary and expire once you close your browser (or once your session ends). The session cookies we use do not have any identifiable information in them except to make your browsing experience work. Persistent cookies remain on your hard drive until you erase them, or your browser does, depending on the cookie’s expiration date. All persistent cookies have an expiration date written into their code, but their duration can vary. 

Cookies may be first-party cookies, which are put on your device directly by the website you are visiting, or third-party cookies, placed on your device by a third party like an advertiser or an analytic system.

How we collect your data

We collect your data automatically via cookies when you visit our website, in line with cookie settings in your browser and your customised cookie settings. 

We also use cookies to track your activity to help ensure you get the smoothest possible experience when visiting our website. We may collect information about your computer, including where available your IP address, operating system and browser type, for system administration. This is statistical data about our users’ browsing actions and patterns which do not identify any individual.

There is more information about data we collect from you (including personal information we collect from you when you contact us via the website in order to enable the provision of certain services (e.g. prospectus ordering or registering for an event) in our Privacy Policy.

Types of cookies we use

  • necessary cookies are essential for you to browse the website and use its features, such as accessing secure areas of the site. These cookies do not gather information about you that could be used for marketing purposes and do not remember when you have been on the internet.
  • statistics cookies, also known as performance cookies, collect information about how you use our website, such as which pages you visited and which links you clicked on. These cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify anyone. Their sole purpose is to give us insight into how the website is being used and help us improve it. We use Google Analytics and Hotjar cookies to collect information about how visitors use our website. 
  • preferences cookies, also known as functionality cookies, allow the website to remember choices you have made in the past, like what language you prefer, what region you would like weather reports for, or what your user name and password are so you can automatically log in.

Third-party cookies

On some pages of our website cookies have been set that are not related to Somerville College. When you visit a page with content embedded from, for example, YouTube, these third-party service providers may set their own cookies on your device. Somerville College does not control the use of these third-party cookies and cannot access them. Please check the third-party websites for more information about these cookies.

Your cookie preferences

The first time you accessed our website you should have seen a banner which explains that by clicking ‘OK, I agree’, you consent to our use of cookies as outlined above. 

If have not already clicked either button, you will see the banner below. 

  • If you consent to our use of cookies as outlined above, click ‘OK, I agree’
  • If you wish to disable our cookies, click ‘No, continue with necessary cookies only’ in the banner below.

If you have agreed to our use of cookies:

  • You can find out more about the Google Analytics Privacy Policy on Google’s website. You can request that Google does not track you via the ‘Do Not Track’ option on your browser or by logging into Google and opting out.
  • Most web browsers allow some control of most cookies through the browser settings. To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set and how to manage and delete them, please visit All About Cookies

Manage Cookies

If you have any queries or concerns about privacy on this website, please contact us. You can consult our Privacy Policy on the Privacy & FOI page.

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